Shinai (Bamboo)

Traditional Kendo practice sword made of 4 splits of Bamboo held together by leather wrappings for the handle and the tip. The Shinai (bamboo sword) itself is, of course, not a point area, though, upon making an attack, to knock aside or to brush off an opponent's Shinai is an important part of technique. Shinai is the sword for Kendo-ka. It is indispensable to use it carefully as you do with a real sword. Therefore, to step over Shinai or to lean on Shinai is out of the question. Take, Yotsuwari Take or Takenomi- 4 bamboo staves Fushi - node Tsuka - handle Tsukagawa - leather handle Tsukagashira - end of handle Nakayui - leather binding Sakigawa - leather tip Kensen - tip of sword

Tsuru - string Sakushingomu or Sakigomu - rubber tip or plastic tip inside the sakigawa Chigiri - metal square in the handle Tsuba - handguard Tsubadome - rubber stopper for handguard Shinogi - side of the shinai Datotsubu - valid strike area Monouchi - part of the blade of the sword that cuts the best Mae - front side Ura - back side
(Definitions from Curtis Marsten - Kendo America)

The following table establishes shinai weight and length. USER Length Male/Female Shinai Male Wt. Female JR. HIGH 114 cm max(37) 425 gr. Min 400 gr. Min SR. HIGH 117 cm max (38) 470 gr. min 410 gr. min COLLEGE - ADULT 120 cm max (39) 500 gr. min 420 gr. min

The length refers to the total length including accessories, and the weight to the total weight of the SHINAI, including all accessories excluding the TSUBA.

Here are some info on the designs on the iaito tsuba: arrow: swift good news, destruction of evil bamboo: luck, resilience carp (koi): strength, courage, spirit cherry blossom (ume): wealth, prosperity chrysanthemum (kiko): imperial crest of Japan clouds: purity crane: longevity, happy marriage, loyalty dog: guardian dragon: king of Japanese animals, water symbol dragonfly: victory, success fan: refinement ginkgo: loyalty, protector of mothers heron: grace, purity iris: flower of the warrior lion: shrine guardian, symbol of fire lotus: Buddhism, purity of mind maple: love, autumn mouse: abundance, symbol of Daikoku, god of wealth paulownia flower: justice, benevolence peony: prosperity, happiness, virility, marital bliss pine: stability, strong old age plum flower: new beginnings, hope

rooster: herald of good, wards off evil wave: pleasure, happiness Chrysanthemums: The chrysanthemum is the symbol flower for the Emperor of Japan. Plum twigs, Plum branches (a symbol of spirit): The Plum blossom is one of the three auspicious symbols of long life, including bamboo and pine. The plum blossom is the first blossom of the new year blossoming in the coldest part of winter. The idea of blossoming in the cold winter has the favorable meaning of successful endeavor in the face of hardship. Also the Plum symbolizes "new life" as the first of the new year- on the battlefield, this is particularly poignant for the samurai warrior and has become a favorite symbol among fittings found on swords. ONI (Japanese demon): The subject is of Shoki in low relief threatening an Oni in the sky. Shokis beard and clothing are all finely carved whilst the clouds in the sky are in kata-kiri style. The clothing and Oni are highlighted in gold (one eye is missing on the Oni. The reverse shows a willow tree beside a stream under a crescent moon. 18th century, Hamano school. Shoki, the Demon Queller, is a common figure in Japanese art. He was said to have been a student at the Chinese court but failed his Imperial examinations and, rather than live without a degree, he committed suicide. On hearing of this, the Chinese emperor decided to have him buried with full honours and Shokis grateful spirit vowed to expel demons for all eternity. In Japanese art, Shoki is usually depicted in martial garb brandishing a large sword and hunting down Oni. However, the scene is usually depicted humourously as the Oni only grin at Shoki and hide in strange places, in wells, in boxes or even right behind Shoki or even on top of his large hat. Sometimes Shoki is shown sharpening his large sword on a rock, whilst the Oni is seen at a safe distance drinking from a gourd. Another representation shows Shoki applying a Moxa to himself. Close by stands an Oni gloating at the pain Shoki is experiencing and saying I thought you were a demon queller and yet see how you feel the effect of such a small fire. Usually, as in this tsuba, Shoki is depicted with a long flowing beard and often riding on a Korean lion. In most cases it seems that the great Demon Queller is the victim of the Onis cunning tricks that both vex him and amuse us. DRAGONS: Dragons are probably the most common mythological creatures to be found on sword furniture. Originally taken from Chinese folklore, the Japanese dragon differs mainly in the number of claws. The ordinary Chinese creature has four claws on each foot whilst the Japanese one has three on the ordinary dragon but five on the Imperial dragon. The dragon is often associated with water, especially the Rain Dragon Amario, featured on this tsuba. Another rules the waves and lives beneath the sea or at the bottom of lakes in the Ryugu-jo, the Dragon Palace. Jolys Legend in Japanese Art states:

The dragon (Tatsu) is one of the signs of the zodiac, and the four seas which in Chinese mythologyastronomy, limit the habitable are ruled by the four Dragon Kings:

The celestial dragon presides over the mansions of the Gods and keeps them from decay. The spiritual dragon ministers the rain. The earth dragon marks out the courses of rivers The dragon of hidden treasures watches over the precious metals and stones buried beneath the earth.

Uchigatana